President Barack Obama Granted 111 Commutation of SentencesHas Commuted More Sentences Than Any Other Sitting President In American History

Atlanta, GA (September 1, 2016) President Barack Obama believes in the victory of second chances. Yesterday the White House released the names of 111 individuals that have now been gifted with the opportunity to live a productive life forward, the most in a single month. As the leader of our nation, he has commuted more sentences than any other President in American history. The President stated, "The power to grant pardons and commutations...embodies the basic belief in our democracy that people deserve a second chance after having made a mistake in their lives that led to a conviction under our laws." He understands that more is required and his Administration has "worked to enhance fairness and efficiency at all phases of the criminal justice system." The White House released this information in the chart below.

Antonio F. Knox, Sr., 40th Grand Basileus stated, "We hosted a powerful Criminal Justice Reform panel at the 80th Grand Conclave in Las Vegas, NV with a stellar panel of experts. Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated wholeheartedly supports the President's leadership on the Criminal Justice Reform Bill. We must move to swift and deliberate action by making calls and writing our elected officials. We must add our names to the national petition that will help drive this bill forward into law. We must band together with all other Divine 9 and community organizations under the collective premise of equality and justice for all! We must turn out to vote in historic numbers to make this the largest push to the polls ever! I commend President Obama for his willingness to see possibility and his unwavering commitment to second chances forward. We Are One!"

Since its humble beginnings on the Howard University campus, the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity continues to be on the front line, leveraging its power, influence and more than 100 years of commitment to the uplift of our people and our communities.

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. was founded on November 17, 1911, at Howard University in Washington, D.C., and is the first international fraternal organization to be founded on the campus of a historically black college.